The Cost of Cutting Preparedness:
How NOAA Layoffs Endanger Ulster County
In times of crisis, preparation is everything. Whether facing hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, we rely on expert forecasting and emergency response to keep us safe. That’s why President Trump’s decision to fire 880 workers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is more than just a bureaucratic shake-up—it’s a direct threat to our ability to predict, prepare for, and respond to natural disasters.
For communities like ours in Ulster County, where climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, the loss of NOAA’s expertise could mean delayed warnings, less accurate forecasts, and greater danger for residents. The impact of these cuts extends beyond coastal states—it's a risk for all of us.
A Personal Story: Fire on Both Coasts
A close family friend of mine grew up in Warwick, just south of Ulster County. After high school, he left New York to study at the University of Southern California, where he built a life in Los Angeles. Like many Californians, he has had to adapt to the constant threat of wildfires, learning evacuation routes, monitoring air quality, and keeping an emergency bag ready at all times.
In 2024, as fires raged in Southern California, he decided to visit home for a break. He hoped for relief from the relentless smoke and heat. But instead of escaping the flames, he found them waiting for him. That summer, fires spread dangerously close to his parents’ home in Warwick. For the first time, the disaster he had come to expect in California was at his childhood doorstep in New York.
What happened to him isn’t an isolated incident. We are living in an era where disasters don’t just belong to one region anymore. Wildfires in the Northeast, once unthinkable, are now a reality. More than ever, we need strong emergency preparedness—both locally and nationally—to protect our homes, businesses, and families.
How NOAA Cuts Make Us More Vulnerable
NOAA isn’t just about weather reports. The agency provides critical early warnings for hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. Its satellite data helps firefighters track the spread of flames. Its research allows us to anticipate flooding in vulnerable areas. Its scientists work to improve climate predictions so we can plan ahead.
Cutting thousands of NOAA employees means:
Weaker disaster forecasting – Fewer experts analyzing storm patterns and wildfire risks.
Slower emergency response – Less accurate early warning systems for severe weather events.
Greater risk to lives and property – Less information available to local governments trying to prepare.
Without NOAA’s full capacity, communities like Ulster County will be left to navigate an increasingly unpredictable climate with fewer tools at our disposal.
What Ulster County is Doing to Prepare
While the federal government weakens disaster response, Ulster County is working to strengthen it. Here’s how:
Investing in Emergency Services – The county has increased funding for emergency preparedness, ensuring first responders have the training and equipment they need.
Enhancing Wildfire Prevention – Given the growing risk of fires, local officials are working on fire safety awareness and improving coordination with state agencies.
Upgrading Flood Mitigation Efforts – With NOAA’s support now uncertain, Ulster County is investing in local flood prevention strategies to protect vulnerable areas.
Improving Communication Networks – Emergency alert systems are being updated to ensure residents receive critical information as quickly as possible.
But local action alone isn’t enough. We need strong national agencies like NOAA to provide the data and forecasting that help us stay ahead of disasters.
The Fight for Preparedness is a Fight for Our Future
Disasters don’t wait for government bureaucracy to catch up. Every year, our community faces new climate-related challenges, from hurricanes to floods to wildfires. The decision to gut NOAA is a decision to leave our communities defenseless.
We can’t afford to let politics undermine public safety. That’s why I’m committed to fighting for strong emergency preparedness policies, advocating for smart climate solutions, and ensuring that Ulster County remains proactive in the face of increasing threats.
If we want to keep our families safe, we need leaders who take preparedness seriously—at every level of government.
Let’s stand together to protect our communities before the next disaster strikes.